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Kapiti 'Alive' Island Tour

A day trip from Wellington to one of New Zealand's most revered nature reserves.

Kapiti Island is home to an internationally famed nature reserve protecting some of the world's rarest and most endangered birds

Your tour begins at your Wellington city accommodation or airport, where your host will meet you and transport you around Wellington's beautiful harbour, and on the West Coast of the southern North Island: the Kapiti Coast. Once on the Kapiti Coast you will take a ferry trip to Kapiti Island. The boat journey to the island is about 10 minutes and passes through a Department of Conservation Marine Reserve where dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds can sometimes be seen.

Rare and endangered

Kapiti Island stands as 'the jewel in the crown of New Zealand's conservation estate' as it provides the necessary 'pest and predator' free environment for many of New Zealand's most endangered bird species. The Kapiti Island "dawn chorus" early morning birdsong is supreme ...Kokako, Tieke (Saddleback), Korimako (Bellbird), Tui, Popokatea (Whitehead), Hihi (Stitchbird), Kereru (Wood Pigeon), Kaka (Bush Parrot), Kakariki (Red Crowned Parakeet), Takahe, and of course....LittleSpotted Kiwi are main attractions. Sometimes the more interactive of our native birds like the Kaka and Weka can be quite demanding for your attention.

On the island you will be guided along the bush trails and coastal tracks amongst rare native birds and bush. You will enjoy lunch at the remote Kapiti Nature Lodge with your host, and will have time to explore the lowlands of the Waiorua Valley. You will be amazed by the number and variety of birds that cannot be experienced anywhere else in New Zealand.

Your return ferry trip leaves from nearby the Lodge, a 10 minute trip that takes you back to the mainland ready for the transfer to your Wellington city accommodation.